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Staal won’t commit to Pittsburgh, turns down 10 year deal

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Some breaking news on the Jordan Staal situation. As I mentioned two days ago, the situation is still evolving despite Ray Shero’s comments that he won’t trade Staal, as Shero and agent Paul Krepelka were prepared to meet in person for the first time this week. The indication early in the week going into this meeting is that Staal’s camp would not request a trade but also wouldn’t give any indication that they are willing to commit.

That appears to be exactly what has happened.

We have been able to confirm a report from TSN’s Bob McKenzie that Staal has turned down 10-year mega offer from the Penguins and that Staal has indicated to the Penguins that he doesn’t plan on signing extension now.

The Penguins are believed to have offered Staal a 10 year deal worth around $60 million.

Trade Buzz: Thursday’s 1-for-1 trade of young underperforming players saw the Minnesota Wild acquire center Victor Rask from the Carolina Hurricanes for left winger Nino Niederreiter. Carolina did an excellent job of being able to get out of the Rask contract, who has three years remaining with a $4 million cap hit. Rask has 1 goal, 5 assists on the season, mirrored in a 22-game goal drought. The logic here for Minnesota is taking the chance on a playmaking center who can help fill a top-9 spot longer term if the Wild move on from Eric Staal. Minnesota is also playing the card that a change of scenery will benefit the 24-year old who posted a career-high 21 goals, 48 points in 2015-2016.

Niederreiter’s trade value was stunted because of his contract, where he has three years left on his deal with a $5.25 million cap hit. Niederreiter is a player who is extremely hard to play against, drives possession well, and has three 20 goal seasons over his last four full seasons. Injuries (18 goals in 63 games) kept him from a 4th straight 20-goal season in 17-18. The Niederreiter acquisition also sets up as great insurance for the Hurricanes if they can’t resign Micheal Ferland. In the short-term, Carolina’s center situation is a mess with Jordan Staal sidelined with a concussion, but they’re getting the better player who fits the identity they’re trying to establish upfront, especially on the wings where they’ve identified the need for Patric Hornqvist type players.